In this study, several novel coumarin derivatives, 7-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carboxyl-Trp-Trp-AA-OBzl compounds, were designed and synthesized as potential anticancer agents. Their in vitro cytotoxic activities were evaluated using methylthiazoltetrazolium (MTT) assay. The anti-tumor activity of the newly coumarin derivatives was determined in a S180 bearing mouse model and some of the compounds demonstrated tumor growth inhibition similar to the positive control, doxorubicin. Compared to doxorubicin, most of the compounds exhibited enhanced immunologic function suggesting a relatively minor toxic effect. The intercalation of the coumarin derivatives synthesized with calf thymus (CT) DNA was also studied. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.